traction
Traction in a modality used to mobilise joints, which can be mechanical or manual by nature. Traction is the process whereby joint surfaces are separated or distracted to achieve a desired therapeutic outcome. In spinal mobilisation, traction may be used to free entrapped nerve roots, or to relieve the pressure off the spinal discs and joints. Traction is usually performed on a traction couch, with the use of a mechanical traction device- where the distractive force and hold time may be set according to the irritability of the condition being treated. Manual therapists often use traction as a form of joint mobilisation, to stretch joints allowing them to restore normal joint motion.